Frequently Asked Questions About Newark Beth Israel's Expansion Project

1. What is the hospital building?

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is undergoing the largest expansion of its facility in the last 50 years. The expansion will include, a new main 17,000 sq. ft. glass-enclosed main lobby with an entrance on Lyons Avenue & Osborne Terrace; modern seating areas with new cafes and gift shop; community meeting spaces; a new 3-story addition on Lyons Avenue; an expansive registration area; expansion of the adult and pediatric emergency departments; new Intensive Care Units; a new Geriatric Medical-Surgical Unit; expanded operating rooms; expansion of the Cardiac Cath Lab suite; and a dedicated center for all Advanced Heart Failure Treatment and Transplant services.

2. What entrance do I use to get into the hospital while construction is going on?

During this first phase of this expansion project patients can continue to access the hospital through our main entrance on Osborne Terrace, the entrance located on the parking lot side of the street. The emergency room entrance will also remain accessible to patients in need of emergency services, our health centers (The Adult Health Center, Pediatric Health Center, Women’s Health Center, and Beth Prime Care) remain accessible at 166 Lyons Avenue, and our Frederick B. Cohen Comprehensive Cancer Center remains accessible via the Schulyer Avenue entrance. These entrances will remain open through the duration of this construction project.

3. What is going to replace the historic Maple Avenue School?

At this time, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is evaluating programmatic options that will best serve the needs of our patients and our surrounding community.

4. How much does this project cost?

This historic expansion and renovation of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is a $150 million project supported by multiple funding sources including, corporate capital, operations, and philanthropic support.

5. What is the construction schedule?

This historic expansion of the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center facility will begin on May 20, 2020. This expansion will occur in a phased approach and will continue through the end of 2022.

6. Will there be construction on weekends?

Construction is scheduled to occur Monday- Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. During the course of this project, there may be limited construction activity on weekends. Please continue to monitor this website for updates.

7. Does the hospital plan to hire new staff as result of this expansion?

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey maintains staffing ratios that align with our patient volumes, hiring is not connected to facility expansion.

8. What is the name of Construction Company that is working on this project?

Newark Beth Israel has contracted Turner, a North America-based, international construction services company. The company has earned recognition for undertaking large, complex projects, fostering innovation, embracing emerging technologies, and making a difference for their clients, employees and community. Turner has built or managed the construction of many of the state’s leading commercial, residential, institutional, industrial, and health care facilities. They have cultivated excellent relationships with subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, and minority- and woman-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) in the region. For more information, visit the Turner Construction website.

9. Are you accepting bids for this project?

The bidding process for this project is complete and all bids have been awarded. We are no longer accepting bids for this project.

10. Is this going to cause additional noise in my neighborhood?

Primary construction activity will take place on the hospital side of Lyons Avenue and Osborne Terrace. These streets do not face residential property and we do not anticipate construction activities will have an adverse noise impact on the properties located in the surrounding area.

11. Will the construction disrupt my water, power, electricity or any of my utility services in any way?

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center has been working closely with all local utility agencies to ensure that this construction does not cause disruptions to utility services in the surrounding area.

12. Will this project restrict parking on my street or result in parking restrictions in my neighborhood?

To accommodate this project, parking will be suspended on the hospital side of Lyons Avenue, from Osborne Terrace to Schuyler Avenue; construction barriers and signage will be in place to navigate the detours. In addition, all construction vehicles will be parked in a designated parking lot to ensure that they do not occupy on-street parking spaces. Although no additional parking restrictions are anticipated at this time, please continue to monitor this website for updates.

13. Will this project result in road closures?

To accommodate this project, Osborne Terrace, between Lehigh Avenue and Lyons Avenue, will temporarily become a one-way street, with all traffic directed north towards Lehigh Avenue. Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is working closely with the City of Newark and Essex County to ensure that the surrounding area remains safe and secure for drivers and pedestrians during this time. Although no additional road closures are anticipated at this time, please continue to monitor this website for updates.

14. Will streets be closed to pedestrians/walking during construction?

To accommodate this project, the Lyons Avenue sidewalk on the hospital side as well as the adjacent Osborne Terrace sidewalk, will be closed to pedestrians. There will be signage in place to indicate closures along with detour routes.

15. Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

If you have additional questions about this project please submit your questions here.